NI Executive needs to offset the short/medium term challenges of Brexit

Today, the CBI held a private meeting with the NI Finance Minister, as part of ongoing engagement with key political representatives since the Brexit result on 23 June.

CBI representatives met with the Finance Minister, Mairtin Ó Muilleoir to discuss a full agenda covering Brexit (and in particular EU funding), the new ‘Programme for Government’ (PfG), infrastructure investment, Apprenticeship Levy and business rates. The key message left with the Minister was the need for the NI Executive to be more ambitious and deliver faster and better outcomes, to offset the short/medium term challenges of Brexit.

Following extensive member input, CBI submitted a short response in mid-July supporting the overall approach to an outcomes-focused and more strategic PfG. However, we identified a number of short-comings and have been discussing these with senior officials and ministers – including the First Minister and deputy First Minister – since 23 June. This engagement will continue over the coming months, both behind the scenes and through a series of member ‘Question Time’ events. The next event will be with the Finance Minister on the 12 September at the Stormont Hotel.

Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors which together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of the private sector-employed workforce. With offices in the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi, the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world. The CBI in Northern Ireland represents around 1/3 of the private sector workforce, and more than 60% of the largest employers. It is the leading business organisation influencing the policies of the Executive and Assembly.